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Chapter 424 Promise
Chapter 424 Promise
Standing at the door of Dumbledore's house, Loila was still a little dazed—had she just been walking with Lord Grindelwald's aunt?
She's Lord Grindelwald's aunt?!
No wonder her name seemed familiar; Lord Grindelwald must have mentioned it before—but she looks so different from Lord Grindelwald—no, wait, they both have white hair—
But she's probably older—
So did she know that it was Dumbledore who defeated Lord Grindelwald?
They probably don't know, right?
If they knew, why would they still be so affectionate towards Dumbledore, calling him Albus or something like that—wouldn't that be a betrayal of Lord Grindelwald?
On the other hand—did Dumbledore know she was Lord Grindelwald's aunt? He must have known, right? Then why did he deliberately cultivate a good relationship with Lady Bagshot—was it to get back at Lord Grindelwald?—What a despicable fellow—he even uses an old woman!
"Miss Hamilton, you're here early!"
"Ah!" Startled by Dumbledore's voice, Loila quickly covered her mouth, afraid that her wild thoughts would spill out.
She covered her mouth, twitched her ears, and watched as Dumbledore slowly approached.
He didn't seem to go straight home, but instead chose to return from outside.
"It's been a while since I've been back here—and it hasn't changed at all," Dumbledore said casually, his tone tinged with nostalgia.
Don't say things like that, as if you're returning home in triumph—Loila pursed her lips indignantly, then watched him take out his key and open the door.
Dumbledore's house wasn't very big, probably only big enough for three or four people to live in. It was quite different from the kind of evil lord's fortress that Royla had in mind.
However, it was quite warm here, and the fireplace seemed to have been lit long before they arrived, so Loila was even a little uncomfortable when she came in.
She shook herself and took off the scarf.
"Please have a seat, Miss Hamilton," Dumbledore said slowly, then gently waved his wand and brought over two cups of hot tea.
"Won't there be any dung or stones in here?" Loila thought subconsciously, looking at the batch of red tea—but don't worry, Miss Nagini is still with me. If she really poisoned it, Miss Nagini will protect me—
"Miss Nagini should be here too. Would you like some hot tea?"
Hey, Dumbledore! How did you know Miss Nagini was on me?!
Loila looked at Dumbledore in surprise, while Miss Nagini had already crawled out of her sleeve and transformed into human form.
"Headmaster Dumbledore, it's been a while," she said, then sat down next to Loila without any hesitation.
"It has indeed been a while," Dumbledore nodded knowingly. "What has Miss Nagini been up to lately?"
"I am a snake, Headmaster Dumbledore," Nagini smiled slightly, "and of course, I'm busy preparing for hibernation."
"I see—" Dumbledore chuckled softly. "Sometimes I wish I were a snake, so I wouldn't have to think about any worries in winter."
As he spoke, he slowly sat down opposite Loyla, holding a cup of black tea in his hand.
"Miss Hamilton—do you know why I called you here today?"
"I roughly—I roughly know?"
Loila thought for a moment, then whispered, "It's...it's the Order of the Phoenix, right?"
Dumbledore nodded slightly upon hearing this, and then said, "You're right—Miss Hamilton."
"It is indeed related to the Order of the Phoenix—" he said, taking a sip of tea before continuing, "as you know—"
Voldemort's power is growing ever stronger.
"His target is no longer just Harry Potter—it has spread to those around him." Dumbledore said, his eyes slightly lowered. "Karkaroff's death was a tragedy."
"Even if he's not a qualified headmaster—but—" Dumbledore said, looking at Royla as if trying to see something on her face.
However, he was destined to see nothing.
Loila simply held her red tea with her head down, just like she always did.
"I'm not very familiar with Karkaroff—" After struggling for a while, Loila could only give this answer.
Of course, she couldn't tell Dumbledore that she and Karkaroff were actually enemies, and that it wasn't Voldemort who killed him, but herself.
"I understand," Dumbledore nodded slightly. "After all, a school is quite large, isn't it?"
"Not everyone will know each other," Dumbledore said, then changed the subject, "but Karkaroff's death also proves—Voldemort's power is growing stronger."
"One day, he will destroy everything we cherish —"
My beloved Lord Grindelwald is now imprisoned—how could he be destroyed, or rather, you have already destroyed him—while my other friends—don't seem to have any grudge against Voldemort.
Royla had little interest in fighting Voldemort; in her view, Voldemort was nothing more than a minor terrorist—even if he was powerful, that was all.
Dumbledore, aren't you enough to deal with him? Do you need someone else's help?
Loila didn't trust Dumbledore much; she suspected that he was deliberately hiding behind the scenes and letting them, the young wizards, go up and fight.
In this way, Dumbledore could maintain his covert rule over the wizarding world by ensuring that no one was more powerful than him.
I knew it!
However, even though she was reluctant, Royla was happy to participate nominally in order to gain Dumbledore's trust.
"Well—I'd also like to do my part." After thinking for a moment, Loila gave a standard answer.
"So, Miss Hamilton, you'd like to join the Order of the Phoenix, wouldn't you?" Dumbledore asked slowly.
"Hmm—Hmm!" Loila nodded upon hearing this, but at that moment, Miss Nagini beside her slowly put down her teacup.
"Headmaster Dumbledore—why does this scene seem a little familiar?" she said slowly, her vertical pupils thoughtfully scrutinizing Dumbledore.
Huh?
Miss Nagini, what is this— While Loila was still somewhat bewildered, Dumbledore spoke up: "I'm sorry about Credence—"
"I don't want your apology." Nagini shook her head. "I just want to know—can you guarantee that Loila will be alright?"
"You've already taken one person from my side, and I don't want to see another one taken away by you." Nagini paused, then continued, "Loyla isn't Credence; she doesn't need to be involved in your struggle, does she?"
"Miss Nagini—" Loila pursed her lips, wanting to tell Miss Nagini that she was determined to join the Order of the Phoenix, since gaining Dumbledore's trust was Lord Grindelwald's mission.
But before she could speak, Dumbledore spoke up, his voice devoid of emotion and sounding rather heavy: "Miss Nagini—and how do you know that Miss Hamilton wasn't involved?"
"Once the battle against Voldemort begins, it will never end," Dumbledore said slowly. "And Miss Hamilton entered the fray much earlier than you know or could have predicted."
What is Dumbledore saying? — I don't quite understand — Royla looked at Dumbledore blankly, not knowing what he meant.
Nagini fell silent, then pursed her lips and said, "I just want to know—can you guarantee her safety?"
""
"I cannot guarantee that," Dumbledore said frankly, "but I am willing to protect Miss Hamilton's safety."
"Just like the safety of all members of the Order of the Phoenix—" he paused slightly, "until I die—it will always be the same."
"Is this a promise from a school principal?"
"No." Dumbledore smiled gently. "It is the promise of an elder—the promise of a very old man."
"————" Miss Nagini remained silent for a long time before her vertical pupils turned to Loila: "Loila———— if you really want to."
"Then let go."
No—I just joined one of Dumbledore's little groups to deal with the petty thug Voldemort—why does your conversation seem so serious?